Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic address MEPs on the current challenges and future of the EU. Mr Mitsotakis’ plenary address will be followed by a round of interventions by political group leaders. This will be the fifth “This is Europe” debate to take place at the European Parliament, Opening remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and opening statement by Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU - Greece (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

MITSOTAKIS, Kyriakos (EL)

president's agenda

This is Europe Debate (T)

This is Europe: Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and statement by Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good morning. Colleagues, we have with us today the prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Prime Minister, thank you for accepting our invitation to address the parliament and the people of Europe as part of our this is Europe debates. Europe is, after all, a Greek words. And the birth of democracy in ancient Greece gave an impetus to a creative spirit that produced the architecture, the art and the philosophy that have shaped Western civilisation as we know it. No society before the Greeks dared to believe that order and freedom were compatible.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And with the return of war on our continent and power politics on the global stage, we are reminded of the importance of safeguarding democracy hand-in-hand with our rules-based order to preserve freedom. Overwrote ocracy. In over forty years of membership, Greece has given the European Union influence and stability in the Southeast Mediterranean, and no doubt Greece's importance will continue to grow as a new geopolitical reality unfolds.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Greece will become an energy hub, connecting the Greek electricity grid with the Middle East, and Africa will soon accommodate imports of lower cost renewable energy into Europe. And this signals a new age for Greece. This summer will also see Greece exit the Euro Group's enhanced surveillance plane. Work, which helps to steer Greece's economy out of a crisis which began 12 years ago. It was not easy this year. marks the end of a cycle of restrictions and close monitoring.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President, A new era of sustainable economic growth and prosperity is opening up for Greece and its people. So today we salute Greece and every Greek citizen for this important milestone achieved. Thank you, dear Prime Minister, for being with us to mark the success. Deqr Kyriakos, the floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Thank you, Madam President. Allow me to address this house in Greek. Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the European Parliament, many, many thanks for this invitation to speak as on behalf of Greece to the 27 member states of our union at a time which corresponds to the end of a very difficult chapter for both Greece and Europe, but also with a start of new joint efforts in the face of the major challenges of the future, which are already knocking on the door of our European family.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Now is the time to courageously plan the European Union for the decades ahead. In twenty fifteen, Greece was one step away from the abyss of leaving the European Union and its society. Then there were waves of blind populism, striking time and time again.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, But on the 5th of July 2015, same date a referendum was conducted which almost gave the coup de grace. It was only in the face of the question of an unregulated bankruptcy that the government stepped back. But there was a serious effect on the banks, the capital controls and also a Third memorandum which took us to another cycle of austerity.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, No European society has suffered more than Greek society in the past decade. Luckily for my country, Greece in 2022 cannot be compared to Greece of 2015. Seven years on, I am standing here before you to say to you that those images have been deleted forever.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, My country has a new government which is leading our country into a new age, which wants to push development, reducing unemployment and increasing increasing investment. And in a month from now, we will be shaking off the enhanced surveillance framework. So we are ready over the next year, within 2023 to to increase investment. So we look to the future n a more optimistic fashion. Despite the major challenges out there.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, But I'm standing here in order to express a huge message of thanks to Europe, Europe that supported my country when others were questioning the whole European approach. All of you who helped us to stay as a supporter of democracy in the most democratic of countries, that was a sign of solidarity. And we are referring that back to Europe now in aiming in pulling together towards common social objectives. Yes, there have been dramatic crises, but we've learnt from them.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So who would really have believed some years back that Greece, which was at the end of the line in terms of development in Europe ten years ago, would be Third in line now? Who would have thought that Greece could achieve that by reducing taxes three times, but also without threatening social stability? Who would have believed some years back that Greek public service, the symbol of red tape, would today be much more digital and much more citizen friendly?

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So we have turned the page. We've changed. And the Greeks themselves, they believe only in the truth of the votes because they are now seeing the results of the very brave measures brought in by a reforming government. And the quality of our democracy has also been improved. And we've shaken off the neo-Nazi threat from Golden Dawn.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So I am very proud as a Greek to be able to say that my country has taken control of its economy, its change, its country and it is now an active and equal member of the European Union. Athens was one of the first in line in combating covid with vaccinations, with the Greek proposal for a European vaccination pass, which was adopted. It was also one of the first countries to stress the need to to shape a new European fund for the recovery of our economies.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Post covid, one of the first countries that actually had a national plan for next generation EU. That's not all, because at the same time, Greece has stood as a guardian of Europe in 2020. In March, when on Eastern borders there were constant threats of invasion by tens of thousands of illegal migrants from Turkey.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, I remember back then, in a action of solidarity within 48 hours on our borders on the Evros River, the president of the European Parliament, our beloved David sassily, was present. The president of the European Council and also the president of the European Commission. That is something which remains dramatically present, as we've seen now, what migrants are facing in Spain.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, But we've seen also the actions which are ongoing with the smugglers working on land and on sea. And unfortunately, this is becoming more frequent. But as a European, I would like to stress that the European foundations have stood up to it and have managed to find new solutions to new challenges. We have seen the European Bank opening its doors to the state bonds.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, We've seen the European Semester. There's been new mechanisms introduced and at the same time there has been constant technical support for the general directorate bringing in change. But Europe at the same time has support. Greece working alongside it along the path towards these major changes.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, And it's been clearly understood that national challenges are often European one. So there is no role for local egoism. We can only have solidarity if the states towards that which that is directed is involved as well. So these are the jewel foundations, I would say, of this new European construction. Members of the European Parliament. I spoke at the beginning about the major progress achieved by my country.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Twenty, twenty one, we showed High developes of growth, much better than projected, about eight percent. We've seen an increase in investment and a reduction in unemployment, unemployment, and we have seen changes in the public sector.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Greece has met its final commitments to the IMF two years ahead of what was planned. We have got a better system. We have drastically reduced loans for Greek banks and all of that is being shown in the figures.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, I know and speaking to electic elected representatives. And so I would like to raise two issues, which I think are very important of something which has been achieved as we followed this path. Firstly, the conditions within Greek society was moving and secondly, the fundamental measures brought in on the social side to ensure that progress there in the social side could be going hand in hand with improvements on the economic side and in the environment.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, We have a new approach under my government at Hybrid's attack and there have been national threats in the Aegean from Turkey and in the eastern Mediterranean, which expanded in 2020. There have been natural disasters, fires, and then we were hit by the storm of the pandemic. On all of these fronts, we always strove to make crisis into opportunity. With the help of Europe, we better organised the protection of our eastern borders, our diplomacy.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Well, we entered into agreements on the protection of sea areas with Italy and Egypt, Israel as well. Our links There and increasing our defence, establishing serious conditions for mutual protection with France and also an agreement with the United States and as I say, we've made the crisis into a driving force.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, I think this is was seen in the pandemic as well, because we've seen a doubling of the wards available and staffing has been taken down. But this has become a reason to study a new public national health system in my country. Already we are moving towards a free public GP for all, and we're working on all areas of primary and secondary care.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, And this leads me to my  second comment I mentioned about the social moves despite the international and national conditions. Now, this is a country which is coming out of a very painful, tragic crisis financially and it's hit by another. But is is striving to remain focussed on its aims and support the well-being of its society throughout the pandemic. We spent tens of thousands to support firms and workers. We provided tax relief to support investments and support revenue. We brought in major changes in the working environment with policies aimed at lower taxes, better jobs and a better life.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, The increase in the minimum wage, I think, has also helped in that direction. We have a digital labour card now as a shield against misuse of workers. They can show very clearly how the conditions of their work and the hours they work.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So we're adapting to European conditions so there is no form of distinction discrimination anymore because the same rules apply across the board to our workers in the face of needs and any progress we've made, we can't be fully satisfied. But this is the measure of our effort. We have achieved many well-paid jobs and this is something that all we're all calling for across the political spectrum is the question of training and education, increased investment, a new vision which focuses on progress in the economy, going hand in hand with social progress.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Colleagues at the beginning I said that nothing in Greece or Europe remains the same at the end of the second decade of this century. But there have been unprecedented changes coming about across the planet. The invasion, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine war has returned to our planet. It's upsetting the energy situation and the effects are spilling over into all European societies.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, The nightmare of a shortage of food is re-emerging in many countries around the world and we know that for every country ever organisation, there is a question out there on what side of the various interests involved are we going to stand? Because we are going otherwise to end in a vacuum?

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, The role of a fair partner has been mentioned many times over history in Europe from the European Parliament, also from Greece, We've always answered the question and from the very beginning, we are on the side of peace and an international rule of law against an invasion and an infringement, a violation of borders. We are for democracy and in democratic society, and therefore we refuse this autocratic neo despotism.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, We always want to support that approach. The struggle in Ukraine is a turning point, I would say, in the history of Europe, the importance of which is becoming visible only if each state does plays its role in line with its own requirements. We owe it to Ukraine to reject any form of approach like this, which could become another form of disruption in the future.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, And that's why, well, it's particularly important for two countries, which are members of Europe, Greece and Cyprus, because I'm talking here about the ongoing threats from Turkey, hich is looking towards Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Clear decisions from the European Council have been taken now, but we have to stand up for the international rule of law in the face of provocation. We have to show readiness in the eastern Mediterranean as we are facing the major challenge of this war in Ukraine. One thing stands for sure we do not need new returns of these type of approach is one thing is for sure.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Greece will not see anyone questioning its national sovereignty and its territorial integrity. And I'm sure that in this ongoing struggle, we will have all of you on our side. So my position has long been clear. We close the door to threats. We keep the windows open to attempts to achieve peace sometimes. Well, differences between difference between states must always be solved on the basis of international law.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So they're not only geopolitical repercussions, they also have economic and social repercussions as well. These international disruptions are leading to a rise in the cost of all products, which in turn is giving rise to social discontent. Logically, throughout all of our societies. So we face the risk of populism rising once again.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, We need solutions to complex problems and there are no magical solutions for that. Europe is therefore being called upon to face many challenges, disruption and the question of this dependency on Russian energy. We must move faster on green replacements and we also have to look at the question of energy prices as well.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, There's no doubt that we have to deepen democracy in member states because inequalities, distances between our politicians, peoples continue to exist. We should avoid or we have to speak to our citizens in a simple language every day, straightforward, talking about There real needs and speaking against fake news. All of this represents the path for us to show that our national governments and the European institutions are not red tape.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, There are system which are there to support all European citizens. Greece will be present for all of the crises ahead. We are one of the first countries to join the European of Support, a European energy plan and we are a constant source, a port of entry for renewable energy coming in not only to cover Greece's needs, but we are looking at the Balkans, Eastern Europe. We are pushing ahead with our connexions with Cyprus, Egypt, Cyprus and Israel so that the entire continent can be provided with clean, cheap energy from the sun of Africa and the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, In the question of strategic economy autonomy for Europe, I would stress once again that we have a bridging role to play with the Balkans. And we are also looking at the question of common security within the framework of NATO. Only over the last few months, we have saved six thousand people in from the sea, all of them coming from Turkey. So we need, as I said, at the beginning, a new plan to address this in my country.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, I would like to say that as far as democracy is concerned, we have you the Constitution. We have elected the first woman as the president of the Hellenic Republic. We have passed large volumes of legislation recently, many looking at the right to vote of Greeks living abroad who will be able to continue to vote and we have also adopted unprecedented reforms covering rights within Greece.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Now, ladies and gentlemen, it's not only about what's happening in my country or on the continent. We have to look at the Europe of the future. which has to stand its ground. It has to establish its own defence and energy policy, building on what we have done so far in the green transition and on the grease of culture, which has to involve the entire world. I should say that despite the difficult circumstances I am reading the situation with optimism.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Europe has was more effective in the many other parts of the world. In the face of covid other large countries such as China, still hasn't got to to grips with it. It was a huge decision in Europe to have the common vaccination policy and also the question of exchange, that supranational level so that we were able to support our economies throughout Europe and we were able to overcome this major covid crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, It would have been impossible for that type of thing to happen three years ago. And so we There in renewable energies, new technology. We have a new plan on climate change. And I know how interesting and difficult tomorrow's debate is going to be. on this question of taxonomy. But despite the difficulties, democracy is always there in our countries. We have the will, but we have the culture of our peoples to build on.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, We have liberal forces such as the x, as well, who are looking for progress. The billions available under the new fund which has been set up. And we have to look at the title, the role we have to bring about recovery, but also we have to ensure that it is resistant. So we have drawn the consequences, I think, and learn the lessons from the four major challenges the crisis, the pandemic and now the energy crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, What have we learnt? Firstly, that in a connected world, no state can manage a crisis of these dimensions alone. However, big it may be. And secondly, as I said, when Europe moved quickly with common mechanisms and decisions, it showed that it was resilient. And with those two lessons, I would ask that we apply this now in the face of this huge energy crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, So a united Europe means, in energy terms, united as well. We have to have the courage to intervene in the markets when they have basically stopped working. We have to break the link between the costs of natural gas and the cost of other energies. And I see that now things are moving within the commission to look at the way in which we price electrical energy on our continent.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, And I'm saying is as a a liberal minded politician and I'm able to look forward to the future, I would call for public intervention when markets stop working to the benefit of the citizens green economy with zero emissions, yes, it will exist. But how are we going to get there and how in the meantime, are we going to bring about a quick green transition without the budgets of our families being brought to their knees?

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, These are the issues we have to address over the next month, particularly in view of the hard winter that lies ahead. I know we have to work together. My country will be providing 2000 megawatts of new possibilities for electrical energy this year. We know that we need further connexions and so that no country in the European Union is excluded from the European networks. These are the major challenges we're going to be faced upon to to deal with.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, And we need a an agenda of resilience and development for the whole of the European Union. I conclude with this thought that sadly, some time to take your questions. These are the major challenges we're going to be called upon to face and to respond to over the next years. The question of European defence, a common defence policy, bearing in mind also the migratory challenges, banking union and savings, a and effective European energy plan and coordinated action based on the IMF, the deepening of democracy addressing fake news demagogues and also the role of the European Union in the Western Balkans and enlargement.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Greece, as a Balkan country fully supports that enlargement. We want Europe in the Balkans, but we also want the Balkans in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, we're all aware of the fact that these are ongoing struggles.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, Well, x the historian five years ago wrote this in a book that Europe fought for freedom and achieved it. And together with prosperity for all the world, the call for unity and a clear feeling of identity continues to exist. But the only certainty is the uncertainty, which affects our lives. And I will close on that, adding that it is our duty to protect freedom, the freedom and the prosperity which have been achieved by previous generations for our benefit.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister, But we also have to fight for the European identity. We wanted. But our first duty is to make stability a fact because in the current circumstances, the strong states, strong states are stable states and that will strengthen the European Union. It will be strong in its stability for the benefits of its citizens. I would like to thank you very much indeed for having given me the opportunity to speak today to the European Parliament.